Device for preventing abnormal flexure of vehicle springs



Dec. 14 1926.

G. FORNACA DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ABNORMAL FLEXURE OF VEHICLE SPRINGS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 5, 1925 Dec. 14

G. FORNACA DEVICE'FOR PREVENTING ABNORMAL FLEXURE OF VEHICLE SPRINGS 4 Sheets-She et "Filed March 5,

Dec. 14 1926. 1,610,764

c-ajFoRuAcA DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ABNORMAL FLEXURE OF "VEHICLE SPRINGS Filed March 5,1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.6..

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G. FORN ACA DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ABNORMAL FLEXURE OF VEHICLE SPRINGS Filed March 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

. GUIDO FOBNACA,

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' Application filed March 5, 1925, Serial It is well known that in vehicles provided with brakes on the front wheels the springs are liable to undergo abnormal eformations when the brakes are applie For this reason it has been proposed to provide means which prevent any movement of twist of the axle and consequently any abnormal flexure of the springs without hindering the normal operation of the sprmgs- Said means comprise systems of paralle links or levers connecting the axle with the chassis in such manner as to allow the axle full freedom of movement while maintainingit always parallel to itself and to the chassis; but these known systems cannot be fitted to vehicles in which one end of each front spring sis without the interposition of shackles.

In accordance with'the present invention this disadvantage is overcome by so connecting the parallel links or-levers with the vehicle frame that hey can move parallel or substantially parallel to axis of the vehicle.

In one construction the links are pivoted to a T-piece having a journal rotatably mounted and movable axially in a support corifiected to the frame. oted to a hell crank which is suspended from the frame by means of two additional links constituting a second system of articulated s. If desired the surfaces of some of the links and of the bell crank lever may be extended to form discs adapted to slide relatively to one another with each movement of the axle, said discs being constrained towards one another by springs. With this construction,

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated, by \way of example, on the accompanying drawings, wherein 7 Figs. 1 aid 2 are perspective views showing one form suitable for use with springs connected with the vehicle chassis by links at both ends of the springs;

Fig. 3 shows a modification suitable for, use with springs connected with the chassis in the usual way by links at the rear ends only;

- Figs. t and 5 are sectional elevations showing another form;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional elevations of another form of the device which acts as a shock absorber;

is directly connected to the chasp all other directions, so

the longitudinal another construction the links are pivthe system will also act as a shock absorber.

mi. 13,228, and in Italy March 13, 1924.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Figs. 9 shows in detail some of the parts of the form illustrated by Fig. 8.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the reference 1 indicates .the motor chassis to which the axle 2 is connected by means of the springs both' ends ,to the chassis shackles- 3.

lwo pairs of parallel links5 arejointed, at 6-, to the axle 2, and also-to T pieces 7 which are turnably mounted in supports 8 fixed to the chassis 1.

It is clear that the arrangement allows the axle to undergo free displacement in the vertical plane and to be inclined in. that lane but restrains itagainst movement in that it cannot turn or twist when the brakes are applied.

For, the-successfuloperation of the form just described it is essential that the springs be connected with the chassis by links 3 as shown.

For 'the usual arrangement in which each spring is connected only at the rear end by links and is attached directly to the chassis at the front, thejournal 7" of the '11" piece is left free to move axially aswell as rotate inv its support 8, thus allowing for the small horizontal and longitudinal displacemerits of the axle due to the fiexure of the spring. I

Similar results may be obtained by the arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and :5, in which the parallel links 5, insteadof being jointe to a '1!" piece, are jointed to a triangular member or hell crank 10, suspended from the chassis by means of a second set of parallel links'll. Normally the links 11 are approximately at right. angles to the links 5.

- With this arrangement free to fulfill their normal function because they are permitted vertical displacement by the movements of the links '5 and horizontal displacement, by the links 11. On-the other hand, the connections positively prevent any movementof twist or f the axle.

by links or rotation 0 In the form illustrated by Figs. 6 and 7, the upper link 5}an'd the front link 11 are made similar to the elements of an ordinary shock absorber (see Fig. 7), and the bell crank-10 also serves as a friction disc, these 4 attached at the springs are I parts being constrained together by springs which can be ad- 13 the pressure exerted by on the pivot 12.

justed by means of a nut 14:

movement of the parts 1. The combination with a motor vehicle chassis, of a spring extending longitudinally of the chassis and directly connected to the front end thereof, a link connecting the rear end of the spring to the chassis, an axle connected tot parallel links pivotally connected 450 the and means connecting the rear parallel links longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

he combination with a motor vehicle chassis, of a spring extending longitudinally of the chassis and directly connected to the front end thereof, a link connecting the rear end of the spring to the chassis, an axle connected to the spring in fixed relation thereto, parallel links pivotallyconnected to the front axle, a bell-crank connected to. the parallel links, and means connecting the bell-crank to the chassis adapted to permit the parallel links to move longitudinally of and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axisof the ve icle.

3. The combinationwith a chassis, of a spring extending longitudinally of the chassis and directly connected to the front end thereof, a link connecting the rear end of the spring to the chassis, an axl nected tot e spring in fixed relation thereto, parallel links pivotally connected to the motor vehicle end of the spring to the e spring-in fixed relation thereto;

COD

front axle, a bell-crank parallel links, and links pivotally connected to the bell-crank and to the chassis whereby said parallel links are movable longitudinally of and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 4. The con'ibination with a motor vehicle nected to the spring in fixed relation thereto, parallel links pivotally connected to the front axle, one of said links having a circular contact surface thereon, means p otally connecting the last named link to the chassis, a bell-crank having-a circular con-,'

tact surface thereon, a

to the axle, means to maintainsaid surfaces in contact, and means pivotally connecting said bell-crank to the chassis. c

5. The combination "with a motor vehicle chassis, of a spring extending longitudinally of the chassis and directly connected to the front end thereo a link connecting the rear end of the spring to the chassis, an axle connected to the spring in' fixed relation thereto, parallel links pivotally connected to the front axle, one of said links havin a circular contact shaped member connecting the last named link to the chassis, bell-crank having a circular contact surface thereon, a link p1vchassis, an axle conconnected "to the otally connecting the bell-crank to the axle,

a link pivotally connecting the bell-crank to the chassis, and means including the diskshaped member for maintaining the contact surfacesin frictional engagement.

In testimony that. I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have sign GUIDO FORNACA.

ed my name. 

